Flue-cleaner.



No. 691,057. Patented 1an. I4, |9102. Y A. A. HULL;

FLUE CLEANER.

(Application filed Apr. 6, 1901 (ub wandel.)

lIIIIIH1l Him @Hom/m ALFRED A. IIULL, OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE.

nue-.CLEANER SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 691,057, dated January 14, 1902. Application filed April 6, 1901. Serial No. 54,649. (No model.)

was a tendency of the transverse scraper.

blades to jam within the iiue, generally near the end of the fine, owing to the absence of proper guiding instrumentalities. There was danger, also, of the retaining means for the nuts or sleeves which secure the adjustable scraper-blades getting loose and dropping off in the fine. Otherimproved specific features have also been adopted which will be hereinafter referred to.

My invention consists in the following construction aud combination of parts, the details'of which will be iirst fully described and the patentable features then set forth and claimed.

Figure 1 represents a plan Viewr of a iiuecleaner embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar View, partly in central longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a cross-section showin g the longitudinal fingers in dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a cross-section vof the iinecleaner in the neighborhood of the scraper-blades.

In the drawings, 1 represents a rod having opposite threaded ends to which the operating parts of my fine-cleaner are attached.

2 represents radial pairs of lugs.

3 represents a series of longitudinally-disposed fingers pivoted at ft in the lugs 2, so as to permit limited movement laterally aswell as radially of the rod 1.` l I 5 represents leaf-springs, one for each finger 3, acting constantly to throw the free ends' struction dispenses with the pivoting of the springs and allows of their easy assemblage in proper position.

8 represents two pairs of collars rigidly formed en the rod 1, preferably cored and shaped as shown, in orderto combine strength and lightness. These collars 8 are slotted lengthwise of the rod 1 to permit the adjustable play of fingers 3. The collars are also slotted transversely of the rod to accommodate a set of circumferential scraper-blades 9 in their adjusting movements.

Scraper-blades 9 are preferably segmentshaped and disposed 'in parallel adjacent planes. The ends of the blade-segments overlap, forming practically a continuous peripheral cutting or scraping edge.

The free ends of fingers 3 are slotted at 10, andthe bodies of the lingers are shaped opposite the slots as shown at 1l, the ends of the fingers terminating in converging or curved tips adapted to be embraced by a conical nut 13 for adjusting the same. The scraper segment-blades 9 have openings therein through ed, and the segments are slipped down over and into the slots 10 and over the inwardlyprojecting portions 11. In this position the blades may be held on the fingers when the latter are without the slot between the collars 8.

The upper threaded end of rod 1 has, preferably, a spline 14, Within which a key or detent 15 on the sleeve 16 takes to prevent the latter turning in its vertical movement. The conical lock-nut 17 locks the nut 13 in place. A key-seat and key 18 prevent the inadvertent displacement and loss of any of the parts.

The peculiar conformation of the outer edges of the fingers 3 in the region of the scraper-blades is material. The edges of the fingers at that point are practically flush with from inwardly. As a result it is impossible `by careless handling to insert the tool out of line with the tube in such manner as to jam the tool in the tube. This was a serious objection in the tool described in my previous patent referred to herein.

` The setting up of the nut 13 causes the fingers and blades to approach each other. The

which the free ends of the fingers are insertthe scraper-blades and gradually recede there- IOO opposite movement permits the springs 5 to exert a contrary movement. In this manner the blades are adj ustably set in and out.

What I claim is- 1. In a flue-cleaner, the combination of a rod, fingers carrying scrapers pivoted to the rod having a recess and a convexity, a spring foreach nger havinga projection taking into said recess upon one side ofthe pivotal points of the fingers, and a concavity embracing said convexity upon the opposite side of said pivotal points, collars for holding the scraperblades, and means for adjustably setting the fingers. p

2. In a lue-cleaner,the combination of a rod, a pair oi' segment-shaped collars rigidly ing witnesses.

ALFRED A. HULL. Witnesses:

W. F. DANIEL, M. II. NOBLE. 

